Comments on: Blues Bytes – The Negro National Anthem 10.05.12

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:40:57 +0000

What’s strange is that the most authentic and soulful rendition I ever heard was by a lounge player in Memphis named Mr. C. He was a local cat in his seventies. I was staying at The French Quarter where he had a house gig.One night I requested the song and he smoked it. Wasn’t Newborn from around those parts?

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:37:54 +0000

Very true,all of the above, growing up around D.C., I knew guys that used to play with him down in southern Maryland. He and Gatton both played all those clubs for years. Actually,after responding to one of the last comments, I found the guitar tab to his version of the song.

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:34:02 +0000

Differenet songs, but worth mentioning as one of many takes on the original. the vocal version is the only one for which I could find sheet music. Pinetop also does a combination vcal and piano version on an Alligator collection. Crayton was a fine, fine underrated player however, a MAJOR influence on Chuck Berry among others.

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:31:05 +0000

Thanks. and thanks to Ray Bryant, I picked out a part that I had never gotten quite right till I heard him play it.

By: William Wirths

William Wirths — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:29:59 +0000

Bryant was an interesting guy.I was aware of him, but one of the by-products of doing this column is realizing all the tributaries that branch off from the main stream.jack McDuff is a great example of yet another style, the jazz/blues organ trio that sold to the Black middle class in the sixties and seventies.

By: Bob Porter

Bob Porter — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:47:26 +0000

The Pee Wee Crayton tune is a different song.
I just remembered another “modern jazz” take on “After Hours”: Roy Haynes New Jazz album WE THREE. The pianist is Phineas Newborn, Jr.

By: Pete Sheridan

Pete Sheridan — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:53:28 +0000

Roy Buchannan played a credible version of After Hours on guitar. It appeared as the second cut on the first side of his Second Album, first released in the Seventies. Roy had his quirks and plenty of personal problems, but did know how to play the blues with real feeling, especially in his early days.

By: Lewis Cowdrey

Lewis Cowdrey — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:14:02 +0000

Remember Pee Wee Crayton, please. Way more to this story.

By: Ed Carifio

Ed Carifio — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:01:14 +0000

Saw you perform this tune last night in Hollywood. Great take on a great song.

By: Tom Fraser

Tom Fraser — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 06:56:45 +0000

Fascinating article, thnak you.
Have a great evening on Saturday at Kilmo’s Native Florda Tap Room – I wish I could be there too !